£10K all-in a year to run something like a XFR is not as bad as I thought it might be...I'm amazed you have no depreciation cost which I would have thought would be massive on something as expensive as a XFR.

I had a look through the folder of a used one. It is realistic to expect 1k in just service and wear and tear each year.

Then 500 quid on tax + your insurance. They are costly to run and a warranty is another 1.2k

It is the rear tyres that go quick and just make double sure the brakes are good as they are VERY expensive.

I'm not trying to put you off but as you mentioned wanting to minimise losses i think you should be aware of running cost.

My XFR is similar in cost, this year i've spent

£500 on tyres,
£1,300 on warranty
£500 on tax
£400 on insurance
£280 on servicing (under service plan)

That is about 3k excluding fuel.

Fuel is about 7k per year but the OBC says it's averaging 19.2mpg

1 thing in my favour is over the last year it actually went up in price. If i sell for a realistic price now i won't have actually lost any money.

Just keep in mind overall running costs.

Hi Briers,

That certainly is an eye opener.

I've briefly done the man maths, but seeing it in black and white is a little more shocking. I was hoping to purchase nothing older than a 13 plate, so i would have warranty for my ownership, and obviously try to ensure the brakes and tyres are good upon purchase. As much as i would like a PP version, the front discs are circa £2400 to replace - so will avoid this. Unfortunately i'm struggling to to get to my 15k target cost over two years, seems I was wildly optimistic with this, I was merely basing it on the fact lease deals can be had from around 16k over two years for a brand new car. I prefer the PCP option as it allows me to lessen the loss if residual remain strong and i sell privately.

I got a pcp quote on a 2012 m3 today.
I could just about afford it but the GFV they calculate just infuriated me.

They are saying that at the end of my agreement, a 5 year old M3 DCT with 40k miles on will be worth £10k..... Ridiculous. A 10 year old one is still making more than that. It means I will end up with a large chunk of equity in the car of course but to me it just means if been paying the interest in about £10ks more finance than I needed....

I got a pcp quote on a 2012 m3 today.
I could just about afford it but the GFV they calculate just infuriated me.

They are saying that at the end of my agreement, a 5 year old M3 DCT with 40k miles on will be worth £10k..... Ridiculous. A 10 year old one is still making more than that. It means I will end up with a large chunk of equity in the car of course but to me it just means if been paying the interest in about £10ks more finance than I needed....

I looked into this too .. did some basic figures and worked out that i would be paying 24k over 4 years for a 30k M3, then hand it back .. 6k short of owning it outright

I was going to suggest an M3 too. My 61 plate Comp. Pack has cost me feck all except fuel so far admittedly only since April. Negotiated 2 years warranty into the deal, had two new rear tyres (fronts look pretty new too), did the finance privately, and it's averaging about 19mpg. There's quite a few cars out there with 5 year service pack on too (mine unfortunately didn't have this). Get the numbers right and it's still a contender?

Personally, I think I'm going for an M235i. Reasonable discount available on new cars, and 4.9% finance mean the monthlies aren't too bad. I think I'd rather be in one of those for 2.5 years than a 3 year old M3.

Be prepared to eat up the AMG's depreciation. I sold my '05 S55 AMG for $18k with 90k miles and 1-owner. It was originally purchased for $125k. I realize depreciation in the UK and elsewhere is different, but just thought I'd share my experience. Great cars nonetheless.

Personally, I think I'm going for an M235i. Reasonable discount available on new cars, and 4.9% finance mean the monthlies aren't too bad. I think I'd rather be in one of those for 2.5 years than a 3 year old M3.

I looked at the M235i before getting the M3 (it was a two horse race) but no deals whatsoever on the M-lite at the time. In fact I've not heard of any decent discounts yet. The M is costing me about £150pm less than the M-lite on finance (although more expensive to run - but I don't think the actual difference will be all that great).

I looked at the M235i before getting the M3 (it was a two horse race) but no deals whatsoever on the M-lite at the time. In fact I've not heard of any decent discounts yet. The M is costing me about £150pm less than the M-lite on finance (although more expensive to run - but I don't think the actual difference will be all that great).

10% off list is available. The deal I am looking at is a deposit of £4k then 47 x £450. This is on a specced up one, list price £39.6k.

Your thoughts on that Rog? I think I am too excited that its very affordable to judge it objectively

10% off sounds decent enough on a newly released car with such positive press. The M235i is a cracking motor, seen a couple of non-M versions knocking around, and the dimensions look good. I guess it's the more sensible choice, more frugal, cheaper (compared to either a 335i or M4) yet virtually as quick, lower road tax, virtually as practical. I was highly tempted but back in April the M3 was a decent chunk cheaper. What would I do now?? Get an M4 Cab